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Back on the rollercoaster we go!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

The build up to the opening day of the season is particularly exciting for me. Every year that goes by I wonder whether my passion will wane a little but at least for now I can confirm, as I approach my 37th season following the mighty Gooners, I cannot wait for it to commence!

Cologne is a mighty fine city and consequently a great location to enjoy the final aspects of our pre-season preparations.

After being lucky enough to attend the Olympic athletics last Friday night our party set off from Kent early on Saturday morning, the promise of fine weather throughout adding to the anticipation of a fine weekend ahead.

Little Legs forgetting his passport didn't get things off to the greatest of starts but once his other half had dragged herself out of bed to bring it down to the Eurotunnel the remainder of the journey proved smooth and trouble free. She wasn't best pleased though believe me!

All the fun the city could offer was enjoyed over the course of the afternoon, evening and into the early hours, and as a result a few extra hours in bed on Sunday morning were very welcome.

A few pre-match beers in the sunshine with all the usual faces proved a fine way to build up to what proved an entertaining, useful and winning end to our pre-season campaign.

Everyone looked sharp, including our trio of new signings, something that brings me nicely to my final point.

One thing I've become used to down the years is that players will come and go. As a result I don't tend to get too stressed about it, I try and avoid all the rumours and the hype and have a relatively philosophical outlook on the subject.

I don't care if we are talking about a Pele or Maradona or a lad picked off Hackney Marshes on a Sunday morning, I only want to watch and support those who want to play for the badge of the Arsenal. Am I naive? Maybe. Honest? Definitely.

That is what supporting a club is all about.

So dust down your colours, loosen up your vocal chords and get ready to get behind YOUR team on Saturday afternoon.

Come on you mighty reds.

Frank

Copyright 2015 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source17 Aug 2012

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